Parasitology: Taenia species: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Parasitology: Taenia species

Sample item

A man passes motile segments in his stool. A gravid proglottid is examined and has about 17 lateral uterine branches on each side. What is the implication?

ATaenia saginata acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cysticercosisBDiphyllobothrium latum acquired from freshwater fishCTaenia solium acquired from undercooked pork, with risk of cysticercosisDTaenia solium acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cysticercosis

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Taenia saginata acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cysticercosis

A gravid proglottid of Taenia saginata has 15 to 20 lateral uterine branches, against 7 to 13 in T. solium. T. saginata is acquired from raw beef, and humans are only definitive hosts, so cysticercosis does not occur. T. solium eggs in humans can cause cysticercosis.

Option by option

A. Taenia saginata acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cysticercosis (correct)
Correct. More than 12 branches indicates the beef tapeworm, which does not cause cysticercosis.
B. Diphyllobothrium latum acquired from freshwater fish
Diphyllobothrium proglottids are broader than long with a central rosette uterus.
C. Taenia solium acquired from undercooked pork, with risk of cysticercosis
T. solium has fewer branches, and the pork tapeworm is the one that carries cysticercosis risk.
D. Taenia solium acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cysticercosis
The intermediate host of T. solium is the pig, not cattle, and the segment count does not fit T. solium.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Taenia saginata acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cysticercosis. A gravid proglottid of Taenia saginata has 15 to 20 lateral uterine branches, against 7 to 13 in T.

Why is "Diphyllobothrium latum acquired from freshwater fish" not the answer?

Diphyllobothrium proglottids are broader than long with a central rosette uterus.

Why is "Taenia solium acquired from undercooked pork, with risk of cysticerco…" not the answer?

T. solium has fewer branches, and the pork tapeworm is the one that carries cysticercosis risk.

Why is "Taenia solium acquired from undercooked beef, with no risk of cystice…" not the answer?

The intermediate host of T. solium is the pig, not cattle, and the segment count does not fit T. solium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology: Taenia species in Microbiology. solium. T. saginata is acquired from raw beef, and humans are only definitive hosts, so cysticercosis does not occur. T. solium eggs in humans can cause cysticercosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Parasitology: Taenia species?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.